Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Honest. Quirky. Real. Practical tips, candid reviews, and stereotype-smashing humor for homeschooling families.

Honest. Quirky. Real. Practical tips, candid reviews, and stereotype-smashing humor for homeschooling families.

13 Hands-On Activities for Kids That Will Make Learning Fun

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Hands-on activities for kids and teens make learning memorable and fun. Try these 13 hands-on learning activities that are versatile enough for any subject.

I still feel guilty. I carefully constructed my see-saw and placed the bucket of plastic army men on one end. Now, I was ready to jump on the other end and watch the bucket spin through the air, army men nestled safely inside, and land a few feet away just like the scenes in cartoons.

Except cartoons defy the laws of physics and gravity. Buckets of plastic army men in kindergarten classrooms do not.

I wish I could remember the name of the little boy I let take the fall for me. I’d apologize for high-tailing it in the other direction while our teacher scolded him for raining plastic army men all over the classroom.

Forever emblazed in my mind, that memory embodies hands-on learning at its finest. (Expect for my innocent classmate.) Activities that engage the body and mind enhance learning and retention. The best hands-on learning activities for kids are open-ended, versatile, and easily adaptable for all ages.

The following activities will work for any age and nearly any subject whether you’re looking for hands-on activities for middle school and high school students or ideas for your elementary kids.

Versatile Hands-on Activities for Kids

1. Build a Map

Increase understanding and help kids visualize history and geography with a 3-D map.  Building maps helps kids understand things like why Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt appear mislabeled on a flat map.

Maps help them see the role that geography plays in wars, culture, and civilization. Try some of our favorite hands-on activities with maps such as:

2. Make Costumes

Kids love costumes, simple or elaborate. I’m no seamstress, so when my kids were little, we assembled store-bought costumes or simple, DIY options.

Sewing your own costumes provides hands-on learning for math skills as your child measures, figures out how much material she’ll need, and cuts out the pattern. Don’t forget to count this as home ec time!

3. Put on a Play or Puppet Show

From writing the script to building the set, kids practice a variety of skills as they prepare a puppet show or play. They learn dialogue, descriptive writing, oral communication, art, creativity, and more.

hands-on learning puppet show

Performing the play and acting out the scenes they create, reinforces students’ understanding of the people, places, and events they’re studying.

4. Create a Presentation

Oral presentations make a fantastic alternative to written assessments. Preparing the presentation provides an opportunity for kids to review. Presenting it showcases what they learned (and may highlight areas you need to go over again).

Students can assemble an oral presentation with or without a presentation board, or they can try their hand at PowerPoint, a slideshow, or photo journaling.

5. Make a Paper Mâchè Model

Easily add hands-on learning to subjects like history, science, or geography with paper mache models. Build a model of the earth or even the whole solar system.

Way back in the day, my oldest created a paper mache Leaning Tower of Pisa when we studied Italy. I remember my cousin making a model of the Liberty Bell when he was a kid. There are so many creative possibilities!

Think about science models, historic landmarks, or replicas of key elements from a novel for a literature course.

6. Prepare a Themed Dinner

You probably first think of history or geography when considering a themed dinner, but with a little creativity, meals could represent concepts from science, math and other subjects.

Fix pizza and a round cookie cake when studying circumference. Make a pie for Pi Day. Bake an apple pie when you study Issac Newton.

hands-on activities baking

7. Do a Paper Bag Book Report

Toss boring written book reports and try a paper bag book report instead. Kids start with a paper bag and add items that represent some aspect of the book (or a person’s life, a time in history, or an invention). Then, they pull out the items, one by one, and recap the highlights of the book as they explain the significance of each.

8. Make a Lapbook or Notebook

One popular, hands-on method of showcasing what kids have learned is assembling a lapbook.  You can make your own lapbooks or try a variety of ready-made lapbook sets.

If your kids aren’t fans of lapbooking (mine aren’t), let them make a story notebook or notebooking instead.

9. Build a Diorama or Model

My kids used to love building dioramas for different biomes (like the ocean or dessert), but you can adapt these little shoebox models for many different purposes.

If dioramas aren’t your thing, try other model options like a construction paper representation of Earth’s layers, a shoebox lid Roman road replica, or an edible cell model. Just don’t drop it!

hands-on learning cell cake

10. Create Art

Your kid doesn’t have to be an artist, and his projects don’t have to be elaborate. Encourage him to choose something that represents some aspect of the topic he’s studying. He might try a collage of vertebrates if studying mammals or a painting of sea creatures for marine biology.

Kids can make their own cave paintings on paper bags. Let them create a mixed media masterpiece depicting a historical event or famous person or try their hand at sculpting with clay.

11. Write an ABC Book

Don’t skip this idea just because you have high school students! ABC books make a versatile tool for all ages. Use blank board books or homemade books to create an ABC story on any topic. The older your student, the more detail you can require for the book.

Your student can create a math ABC book – A is for angle, B is for base, and C is for circumference.

Try geography – A is for archipelago, B is for beach, and C is for canal.

The possibilities for ABC book topics are endless!

12. Play Games

Games make a fun, low-key way to learn new topics or review concepts. Bingo, matching, memory, or fishing are some of my favorite, easily adaptable, DIY games for almost any subject.

For fishing, tie a magnet to a dowel rod with a piece of twine. Then, put paper clips on index-card “fish” or cut fun fish shapes from construction paper. When kids catch the fish, they have to read or define the word, explain the concept, or answer a question based on what you wrote on the card.

You can also use your imagination, a pack of index cards, and the board from most board games to create your own homemade learning games. Jeopardy is a fantastic game for teens and tweens or try Periodic Table Battleship.

13. Take a Field Trip

We’ve done everything from caves (for geology) to a replica of one of Columbus’ ships (history) to an emergency room (health and safety). We’ve even done an official (as opposed to a homeschool stereotype) field trip to a grocery store.

Heading out to see the things you’ve been studying in person is one of the best hands-on learning activities around. Simple, stress-free homeschool field trip planning tips make a group outing a breeze. Try my field trip ideas for middle school and high school students or get some fantastic field trip ideas for preschoolers.

Hands-on activities for kids and teens make learning fun and memorable – plastic army men and 5-year-old innocent bystanders not required.https://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/encounter-with-a-homeschooler/

What are some versatile hands-on activities that you and your kids enjoy?

Like these ideas? Discover more in my subscriber exclusive, Hands-On Learning, a 54-page e-book with 10 hands-on activities featuring full-color step-by-step tutorials. It’s free for subscribers!

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6 Positive Benefits of Chores for Kids

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I’ve seen comments floating around the Internet lately about expecting kids to do household chores being a form of child abuse. That just blows my mind. I’ve pretty much skimmed over the comments, but I sincerely hope that people are talking only about extremes because there are so many positive benefits of chores for kids.

6 Positive Benefits of Chores for Kids

Positive Benefits of Chores for Kids

When I was a kid, my jobs included emptying the trashcans around the house, dusting, vacuuming, and setting the table or clearing the dinner dishes. I’ll never forget the time our dishwasher broke.

Apparently, my brother and I had been complaining about loading the dishwasher. So, my step-dad purposely (unbeknownst to us at the time) chose not the replace the dishwasher. For months. My brother and I took turns handwashing and drying the dishes.

He was a lousy helper, just for the record.

You can bet that we never complained about loading the dishwasher again once we got a new one! Also, I may or may not have told my husband before we got married that a dishwasher was a requirement. {ahem}

Far from being abuse, expecting kids to do chores has many benefits. Being expected to complete household chores allows kids to:

1. Contribute to the running of the household

A long-term study by Dr. Marty Rossman, author and researcher, revealed that expecting children to contribute to the family by completing chores instilled in them a life-long sense of responsibility, competence, self-reliance, and self-worth.

Helping with chores gives kids a sense of belonging and allows them to feel like a necessary piece of the family unit.

2. Develop self-confidence

Successfully completing household chores helps kids develop confidence. Instead of telling kids they’re too little to help, show them how to do age-appropriate tasks.

My four-year-old niece loves to load my mom’s dishwasher. Does it take longer to let her help than it would for my mom to just do it herself? Of course. But you should see the sense of pride on my niece’s face when she’s finished.

I sometimes watch those junior chef shows. The kids can seriously cook better than I can. They are so confident in the kitchen. They didn’t get that way from someone telling them they were too little or thinking it was child abuse to let (or expect) them to help in the kitchen.

3. Avoid a sense of entitlement

I can’t even tell you how many times I have uttered the words, “I’m not the maid” in my lifetime. I am not about the kids sitting around watching TV or playing video games while I do the housework. I’m also not about handing out money just because I’m a nice person.

My kids learned early on that there are things expected of them because they live and breathe and share space and make messes in the house just like everyone else. They also know that there are jobs they can do to earn spending money.

Kids need to understand that there are things expected of them because they live and breathe and share space and make messes in the house just like everyone else.
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I’m not going to lie. It kind of sucks when they become teenagers, get jobs, and no longer need to earn money for those jobs. I have to clean my own bathroom again. {sigh} (I still make them clean theirs.) I hate cleaning bathrooms.

They know that if they want to wear clean clothes, they need to wash them. I’m not the maid.

6 Positive Benefits of Chores for Kids

4. Develop a strong work ethic

Expecting kids to pitch in around the house helps them develop a strong work ethic. They learn that when given a job, they need to do it, do it well and complete it on time.

It has been so cool to watch my kids go out into the workforce and hear them talk about their jobs. They take such pride in their work, and it makes me so proud of them. Megan sometimes takes before and after pictures of the sections of clothes she works on at her job. Wow! (And, yes, she does keep her room neat.)

Josh got promoted to manager within six months of starting his job because of his pride in and sense of responsibility for doing his work. I firmly believe that expecting them to complete chores as kids – and complete them well – helped my kids develop the strong work ethic they display as adults.

5. Learn the life skills needed to manage their own homes

Household chores help kids them learn the skills they’ll need as adults managing their homes. My mom must not have made me clean toilets when I was a kid because I’m still not very good at it, and I can’t sew. But, I’ve pretty much got a handle on most other household chores.

My mom used to work nights so she’d usually get dinner started – like putting the meatloaf or casserole together – and I’d put it in the oven and make the side dishes. I didn’t have any problems cooking (or loading the dishwasher!) once I married and moved away from home.

Kids need to learn the life skills associated with household chores not only so they can help out in our homes, but so that they can one day successfully manage their homes.

Kids need to learn the life skills associated with household chores not only so they can help out in our homes, but so that they can one day successfully manage their homes.
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Fun New Tool for Managing Household Chores

Probably one of the biggest complaints from parents when it comes to chores for kids is having to nag the kids to complete them. Nagging doesn’t help anyone. Bosses don’t nag employees. They write them up or fire them for not doing their jobs.

We used to have a nifty little chore chart when the kids were little. It was perfect for making sure that everyone knew what their chores were without me constantly reminding them.

Chore charts are so last decade, y’all. Today’s kids and parents are so much more tech-minded and guess what. There’s an app for that!

What the Homey App Is

The Homey app is perfect for assigning chores, making sure they get done (without nagging) and even paying your kids an allowance.

Homey App Chore App

The app lets you set household chores for the whole family. If you pay your kids an allowance, you can track it in the Homey app, along with any extra paid jobs that they complete. Homey provides a fun, hands-on, and real-life opportunity for kids to learn about money management, budgeting, and responsibility.

Homey labels chores as either responsibilities (unpaid but possibly required for weekly allowance) or jobs (paid tasks beyond a child’s regular duties). You can require photo-proof of each job and set the app, so that completed work needs a parent’s approval. You can also set chores that kids need to finish before another activity (such as screen time).

Once a child marks a chore as complete, you get a notification letting you know so that you can make sure he did it correctly.

What the Homey App Does

All the money that your kids earn goes into their wallet on the Homey app. In their wallets, they can set up jars. These jars can use the popular “save, spend, and donate” three-jar method or each of the saving goals can have their own jar (such as individual jars for a new phone, a new bike, a charity organization, and long-term savings).

Homey App Reviews

When kids reach their saving goals, you can pay them in cash or transfer funds to a connected bank account right from the app. Additionally, you can put extra money in a child’s wallet if you want to reward them or take money out (such as when your kids owe you for a purchase you made for them).

Homey also features a robust permissions system that lets parents pick and choose features that each child sees. For example, you might allow older kids to mark a younger sibling’s chores as completed. Or, you can let them edit chore due dates if they have to skip a day without letting younger kids see that option in the app.

Homey Chores and Allowance App

With all these features, Homey promotes long-term saving. It also teaches kids about budgeting and banking and provides a tool for teaching responsibility. The Homey app is available on the App Store, Google Play, and Amazon.

Visit the Homey App website to learn more or to access the user manual or glossary of terms.

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Getting the Most Out of Zoo and Aquarium Visits

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Written by Chelsea Gonzales of Wonder Wherever We Wander.

The new school year has started. That makes the very best time to take advantage of local field trip opportunities such as museums, libraries, zoos, and aquariums. Most kids are back in school. That means these places will be much quieter and less crowded. What better way to kick off your school year than with a series of educational field trips?

As a traveling family, we try to take advantage of cool field trip opportunities whenever possible. Usually, these include museums and national parks. However, thanks to my son’s intense interest in animals lately, we’ve been on a zoo and aquarium kick.

Getting the Most Out of Zoo and Aquarium Visits

Because we’ve spent so much time having awesome animal experiences lately, I’ve analyzed what works (and what doesn’t) for our family for ensuring that these field trips are fun and educational. When I took a step back and examined my findings, I realized they could easily apply to almost any family.

So, I wanted to share with you what I’ve learned about getting the most out of zoo and aquarium visits.

What to Do

Take a Camera

I recommend carrying a kid-safe camera on all field trips. Cameras encourage kids to be observant of their surroundings while also giving us adults a peek into their world. This little tip has proven just as handy at zoos and aquariums as it has at museums and parks.

zoo field trip

Go on a Scavenger Hunt

Whether you choose to set up a formal scavenger hunt complete with a list of animals to find or make a game of discovering as much information or as many animals as possible, scavenger hunts are perfect for holding the attention of younger kids. If you can snag a map of the attraction beforehand, creating your scavenger hunt will be a bit easier.

Ask Questions

Always ask questions. Ask your kids why they think an animal displays a particular characteristic. Ask the staff what a specific creature likes to eat. The more questions you ask, the more engaging your visit will be, and the more engaging the visit, the more fun the whole family will have.

Get Hands-On

Many zoos and aquariums allow guests to participate in feedings and touch some animals at certain times throughout the day. Take note of these times, and make a point of participating in these hands-on experiences. They enhance zoo and aquarium visits, making them more memorable and more exciting.

homeschool field trips

Pay for Extras

No, I’m not suggesting you go on a shopping spree in the zoo gift shop or pig out at the aquarium cafe. I am suggesting that you invest in additional events though. Most animal encounter attractions feature some extra experiences at an added expense. If these options include getting up close and personal with the animals, they are almost always worth the extra money.

Take Notes

While visiting any attraction, I make a point of taking notes on what piques my family’s interest. Sometimes these are merely mental notes, but other times I jot them down, lest I forget what was so fascinating to my son.

I highly suggest doing the same and then using those notes to lead your studies whenever possible. This practice often leads to exciting unit studies that we would never have considered otherwise.

aquarium field trip

Do a Recap

After your visit, be sure to do a quick recap. We like to do this when we’ve piled in our truck for the trip home. The recap usually consists of each person stating their favorite experience, as well as one thing they learned. I often add to my notes at this point.

Getting the Most Out of Zoo and Aquarium Visits

Where to Go

Of course, these tips and tricks are pretty useless if you don’t go to a zoo or aquarium. Not sure where to go? These are some of our favorites so far!

Living Desert Zoo in Palm Springs, CA — This awesome zoo focuses on animals that live in the deserts of the world. We saw some unique animals and appreciated the live presentations.

Newport Aquarium in Newport, KY — Easily one of the best aquariums we’ve ever visited, Newport Aquarium includes some amazing experiences. These include petting sharks, walking over a shark tank (on an enclosed bridge), and several super cool tank tunnels.

Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL – The only aquarium we’ve seen so far that has outdone Newport Aquarium was Shedd Aquarium. We’d say this is probably in the running for best aquarium in the world. Fantastic shows, gorgeous architecture, and a vast array of animals make this an excellent place to visit.

Oklahoma City Zoo in Oklahoma City, OK — The Oklahoma City Zoo is surprisingly pretty, with some genuinely well-done habitats and a good variety of animals. The zoo offers a giraffe feeding experience every day, and the whole place feels more laid back than some of the more well-known zoos.

St. Louis Zoo in St. Louis, MO — This zoo is super cool. It features both polar bears and penguins, both of which rare at zoos. It is also surprisingly well kept, especially considering it’s a free attraction.

Cape May County Park & Zoo in Cape May Courthouse, NJ — This teeny tiny zoo is another that’s free to the public. We adore how quaint it is and appreciate that the animals are almost always visible. Additionally, our son loves the huge playground area that sits right outside the zoo.

Does your family enjoy zoos and aquariums? Share your best tips or favorite spots.

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3 Picture Book Authors to Include in Your Spring Unit Studies

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Written by Tara Mitchell of Homeschool Preschool.

Picture books aren’t just for young children. The colorful illustrations and concise wording are ideal for piquing a student’s interest in a subject, explaining a concept in a new way, and introducing kids of all ages to a wide variety of topics in a non-threatening way.

I am a huge fan of using picture books in my homeschool lesson plans. No matter what topic we’re investigating, I scour the library for books to supplement our studies. When my kids were all in elementary grades at the same time, it was not unusual for us to leave the library with 50 or more children’s books.

3 Picture Book Authors to Include in Your Spring Unit Studies

3 Picture Book Authors to Complement Spring Unit Studies

Plants, insects, and animals are perfect topics for spring unit studies, and these authors have a variety of books to round-out your lesson plans.

Each of the authors has multiple books on one topic so you can use them to compare/contrast, explore a variety of themes, and engage your learners all season long!

Eric Carle: Bugs

Eric Carle’s books are classic childhood reads in my house. While he has authored books covering a wide variety of themes, I love to add titles about bugs and insects to our spring studies.

We always kick off our spring bug unit with The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I typically order caterpillars, as well, so we can get an up-close look at the butterfly life cycle.

Picture Book Authors for Spring

In addition to The Very Hungry Caterpillar, you can read:

  • The Grouchy Ladybug
  • The Very Busy Spider
  • The Very Quiet Cricket
  • The Honeybee and the Robber

Additional theme tie-ins:

  • insects (discuss why is the spider not an insect)
  • bees (try an egg carton bee craft)
  • adjectives
  • story sequencing
  • compare/contrast two of the bugs you read about
  • life cycles

Lois Ehlert: Plants

The bright images in Lois Ehlert’s books capture kids’ attention. She has many books that you can use to supplement your study of plants and flowers. I’ve always enjoyed reading Planting a Rainbow with my kids. It’s great for helping kids understand how bulbs and seeds grow into plants and flowers.

Picture Book Authors for Spring

In addition to Planting a Rainbow, I suggest picking up:

  • Growing Vegetable Soup
  • Eating the Alphabet
  • Waiting for Wings. 

Additional theme tie-ins:

  • vegetables and fruits
  • healthy eating
  • the life cycle of a plant
  • colors
  • alphabet
  • butterflies and their life cycle
  • gardening
  • verbs (planting, growing, eating, waiting)
3 Picture Book Authors to Include in Your Spring Unit Studies

Beatrix Potter: Animals

No spring book study is complete without Beatrix Potter’s stories of Peter Rabbit and his friends. Her tales can certainly be enjoyed any time of year. However, spring lends itself to the study of bunnies, frogs, and ducks, all of which play a starring role in Beatrix Potter books.

In addition to The Tale of Peter Rabbit, be sure to consider:

  • The Tale of Benjamin Bunny
  • The Tale of Jeremy Fisher
  • The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit
  • The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies
  • The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck
Picture Book Authors for Spring

Additional theme tie-ins:

  • gardening
  • obedience
  • pondlife
  • good manners
  • life cycles
  • nature study

No matter what you choose to study this spring, look for opportunities to expand the lesson with a picture book or two. Dig out a book from your favorite children’s author or explore a new one.

What are some of your favorite picture books for spring?

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5 Amazing Ways to Learn at the Beach

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Written by Chelsea Gonzales of Wonder Wherever We Wander.

Summer is almost here, and that means it’s time to start thinking about beautiful days spent at the beach.

Many homeschoolers choose to take a break from schooling during the summer months to thoroughly enjoy those beach days and the other summer fun. But there’s no reason why the kids can’t keep learning. Why not incorporate some educational fun into your beach days? After all, the world is full of fantastic learning opportunities, and the beach is no exception.

Ways to Learn at the Beach

Wondering what to do to ensure your kids continue to learn while you play in the sand and surf?

Honestly, you could probably do nothing at all, and they would still learn. Kids are like sponges and considering all of the remarkable wildlife, science, and math that surrounds us on the beach; children left to their own devices are likely to discover something new.

That said, many homeschool parents prefer a bit of structured educational fun. If that’s you, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got five beach day fun ideas that are sure to engage your kids and pique their curiosity.

Build Sandcastles

Your visit to the beach must include some good old-fashioned sandcastle building. Not only is this a super fun and classic beach activity, but it’s also an amazing opportunity to work on math and science skills.

Younger students can establish pattern-building skills by decorating the outside of the castle using alternating shells and creating a symmetrical look. Meanwhile, slightly older kids can gain experience with measurements and planning by sketching a “blueprint” of their plan. Have them make sure the plan dimensions are accurate and mathematically possible before they set to work.

Scientists claim the perfect sand-to-water ratio for castle building is 8 parts sand to 1 part water. However, young scientists may want to run their own tests to discover how accurate this theory is. Be sure to bring measuring cups for accurate measurements, as well as a bit of scrap paper for notes.

Of course, testing the completed castle for structural integrity is another excellent learning opportunity. If a castle is not as strong as the young builder might like, encourage him to experiment with new ways of building.

Learn About Tides

The tides are fascinating. Why not dive into learning about them before your trip? YouTube has a fantastic Crash Course video on the ocean’s tides and on how tides affect gravity.  You may also like reading The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons, which includes an excellent description of how and why the tides change.

When you’re finished doing a bit of at-home research on the subject, take to the field. Have your kids make occasional notes about the tide and what it may be doing at any given time. Younger children can draw pictures of what they see. At the end of the day, discuss the notes and why the young scientists observed what they did.

Check Out Tide Pools

Speaking of tides, you may also want to make a point of checking out some tide pools when you have the chance. Wait for low tide and then set out looking for small pools of water. If you peek into these pools, you’re likely to find they are absolutely teeming with life such as crabs, clams, and urchins.

Tide pools are really cool little animal homes, and a great way to introduce kids to the wonders of ocean life. Try reading one of the following books before or after your visit for a more in-depth study of what you may find in a tide pool:

Fly a Kite

Flying kites is the ideal beach day activity. However, not many people realize just how educational this timeless bit of fun can be.

Practice measuring skills by building your own kite. Learn about what makes kites fly and use this information to decide on the best size, shape, and proportions for your kite. Make a few different kites and experiment to see which one fares best when put into the air.

Ways to Learn at the Beach

When flying your creations, you’ll notice that the seaside is a very windy place. This serves as an ideal opportunity to discuss how the ocean affects wind patterns, helping your children understand why the beach is so gusty.

Spend Time Reading

All of these ideas are super fun, but they are also super involved. If you’re looking for a more laid-back but still structured learning opportunity, you might consider some beachside reading. Check out a few library books or use one of these options for reading on the go. There are few places as relaxing as the beach, and that just makes reading even more enjoyable.

With so many amazing learning opportunities to take advantage of, get ready for some busy beach days in your future.

What are some of your favorite educational opportunities at the beach?

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